Systems, methods, and apparatus for agricultural material application

ABSTRACT

Described herein is an agricultural row unit that has a knife disposed ahead of the gauge wheel for delivering material to soil adjacent to a trench. In one example, an agricultural toolbar includes a frame, a wheel mounted to the frame, and a knife disposed ahead of the wheel and comprising a material delivery conduit disposed on, through, or adjacent the knife.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/395,840 filed on 16 Sep. 2016; U.S. Provisional Application No.62/423,724 filed on 17 Nov. 2016; U.S. Provisional Application No.62/436,935 filed on 20 Dec. 2016; U.S. Provisional Application No.62/447,810 filed on 18 Jan. 2017; and U.S. Provisional Application No.62/526,201 filed on 28 Jun. 2017, all entitled: SYSTEMS, METHODS, ANDAPPARATUS FOR AGRICULTURAL MATERIAL APPLICATION.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to implements andapplication units for material placement adjacent a trench.

BACKGROUND

Adding materials (such as fertilizers) adjacent to seed trenches duringplanting is a good way to deliver the materials to the soil for growingplants to access the material during a later growing stage. Thiseliminates a pass over the field to reduce compaction of the soil fromseparate planting and material application passes. Not all of thefertilizer that a growing plant needs can be delivered in the seedtrench without damaging the seed. Some of the fertilizer is placedadjacent to the seed trench, and when the plant grows and extends intothe zone where the fertilizer was placed, the plant can then use thefertilizer.

There are several implements that deliver fertilizer to soil adjacent tothe trench on a planter row unit. These use implements that generallyuse coulters or knives to open a space adjacent the trench and include aliquid delivery tube for delivering fertilizer. These implements arelocated in one of three places. They are usually installed after theclosing wheels on the row planter, or they can be installed between theclosing wheels and the furrow discs. The drawback to these locations isthat the overall length of each individual row unit is longer, and whenfolded for transport, the planter is wider, which makes it difficult totravel over roads. When the row unit is longer, it becomes harder tomake turns. Also, fertilizer can then cross over previously plantedfurrows and deliver fertilizer where it is not intended. Additionally,rear mounted attachments are less consistent with vertical placement ofliquid products because the depth of the attachment varies whentopography is encountered. They can also be installed ahead of the rowunit. This makes it difficult to install because additional framework isneeded to attach to the row unit, which increases costs. These can alsocause excessive disturbance to the soil near the seed furrow and cancompromise precise placement of seeds and uniform emergence of seed.There is also lack of depth consistency because of topography, and thereis an inability to apply banded fertilizer product to each side of theseed furrow. Also, these implements can accumulate crop residue, whichreduces their performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a typical row unit.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of row unit with gauge wheel and openingdisc assembly removed.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a row unit showing the knife assemblyaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an end view of a row unit showing the knife assembly accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a row unit showing the knife assemblyaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a knife coupled to a bracket with arelief system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a knife coupled to a bracket with analternative relief system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8A is a left side perspective view of an embodiment of an adjacenttrench liquid delivery system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8B is a front perspective view of the adjacent trench liquiddelivery system of FIG. 8A according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8C is a side elevation view of the adjacent trench liquid deliverysystem of FIG. 8A according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8D is a side elevation view of the adjacent trench liquid deliverysystem of FIG. 8A disposed at a rearward angle away from a direction oftravel according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8E is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the adjacenttrench liquid delivery system having a doglegged downwardly extendingelement according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of an adjacenttrench liquid delivery system in which the knife is formed integral withthe liquid delivery tube according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9B is top plan view of the adjacent trench liquid delivery systemof FIG. 9A according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10A is a side elevation view of the knife with the material conduitdisposed through the knife according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the knife with the materialconduit disposed through the knife according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a row unit showing the knife assemblyaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an end view of a row unit showing protrusions on a gaugewheel according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the row unit of FIG. 10 showingprotrusions on the gauge wheel according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an end view of a row unit showing a channel in a gauge wheelaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the row unit of FIG. 14 showing thechannel in the gauge wheel according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a top section view of the row unit of FIG. 14 showing thechannel in the gauge wheel according to one embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a row unit with a knife disposedadjacent to a wheel according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 18A to 18C are side elevation views of a knife pivotably mountedto a knife bracket according to one embodiment.

FIG. 19A is a perspective view of a row unit according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 19B is a right side view of the row unit of FIG. 19A according toone embodiment.

FIG. 20A is a right side elevation view of the row unit of FIG. 19B withthe optional row cleaner removed according to one embodiment.

FIG. 20B is a top plan view of the row unit of FIG. 20A according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 20C is a bottom elevation view of the row unit of FIG. 20Aaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 21A is a perspective view of the knife assembly from FIGS. 19A to20C according to one embodiment.

FIG. 21B is a right elevation view of the knife assembly of FIG. 21Aaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 21C is a back elevation view of the knife assembly of FIG. 21Aaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 21D is a front elevation view of the knife assembly of FIG. 21Aaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 21E is a right elevation view of the knife assembly of FIG. 21Bwith the bracket removed to view the relief according to one embodiment.

FIG. 22A is a top plan view of an alternate wheel with a channel formedfrom two wheels according to one embodiment according to one embodiment.

FIG. 22B is a top plan view of an alternate wheel with a channel formedfrom two wheels with at least one wheel being a finger wheel accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a toolbar with a scraper mounted to theframe and disposed in the channel according to one embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a side elevation view of a fluid injector, such as a coulter,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a side elevation view of a fluid injector, such as a knife,connected to a gauge wheel arm according to one embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a side elevation view of a fluid injector, such as a knife,connected to a gauge wheel arm with a biasing member disposed betweenthe gauge wheel arm and the fluid injector according to one embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a side elevation view of a fluid injector connected to adepth adjustment according to one embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of disposing two wheels on separate gaugewheel arms and optionally disposing a coulter on a separate gauge wheelarm according to one embodiment.

FIG. 29A illustrates a side view of a row unit in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 29B illustrates a top view of the row unit in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 29C illustrates a bottom view of the row unit in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 30A illustrates a side view of a row unit in accordance withanother embodiment.

FIG. 30B illustrates a top view of the row unit in accordance withanother embodiment.

FIG. 30C illustrates a bottom view of the row unit in accordance withanother embodiment.

FIG. 31 illustrates a side view of a row unit in accordance with anotherembodiment.

FIG. 32A illustrates a side view of a row unit in accordance withanother embodiment.

FIG. 32B illustrates a top view of the row unit of FIG. 32A.

FIG. 32C illustrates a front view of the row unit of FIG. 32A.

FIG. 32D illustrates a side view of the row unit of FIG. 32A with theouter gauge wheel removed.

FIG. 32E illustrates a top view of the row unit of FIG. 32D.

FIG. 32F illustrates a perspective view of the row unit of FIG. 32D.

FIG. 32G illustrates a side view the knife from FIG. 32A.

FIG. 32H illustrates a side view of a lower portion of the knife of FIG.32G.

FIG. 32I illustrates a side view of an upper portion of the knife ofFIG. 32G.

FIG. 32J is a perspective view of the lower portion of the knife of FIG.32H.

FIG. 32K is a perspective view of the knife of FIG. 32G.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Described herein is an agricultural row unit 10 (e.g., agriculturaltoolbar 10) for planting seeds in a trench 3 that includes a knife 23having a material delivery conduit 24 disposed on, in or adjacent theknife 23 for delivering materials to soil adjacent the trench 3according to one embodiment. Knife 23 is disposed ahead of gauge wheel52 on row unit 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in thepresent disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosurecontrols.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1and 2 illustrate a single row unit 10 of a conventional row cropplanter. As is well known in the art, the row units 10 are mounted inspaced relation along the length of a transverse toolbar 8 by a parallellinkage 16 which permits each row unit 10 to move verticallyindependently of the toolbar and the other spaced row units in order toaccommodate changes in terrain or upon the row unit encountering a rockor other obstruction as the planter is drawn through the field. Each rowunit 10 includes a frame 14 which operably supports a seed hopper 12, afurrow opening assembly 60, a seed meter 300, a seed tube 32 and afurrow closing assembly 40. Frame 14 is connected to parallel linkage 16by shank bracket 17. Optionally, an actuator 18 can vary a force appliedto parallel linkage 16.

A depth adjustment assembly 90 is illustrated in FIG. 27. The depthadjustment assembly 90 includes a rocker 95 pivotally mounted to a depthadjustment body 94. The depth adjustment body 94 is pivotally mounted tothe row unit frame 14 about the pivot 92. A handle 98 is preferablyslidably received within the depth adjustment body 94 such that the usercan selectively engage and disengage the handle (e.g., left and righthooks 99-1, 99-2, respectively, which may be formed as a part of thehandle 98) with one of a plurality of depth adjustment slots 97 (notshown) formed within the row unit frame 14.

The opening disc assembly 60 includes two angled opening discs 62-1,62-2 rollingly mounted to a downwardly extending shank 15 of the frame14 and disposed to open a v-shaped trench 3 (i.e., furrow, seed furrow)in a soil surface 7 as the row unit traverses a field in direction 8000.The row unit 10 includes a gauge wheel assembly 50 including two gaugewheels 52-1, 52-2 pivotally mounted to either side of the frame 14 bytwo gauge wheel arms 54-1, 54-2 and disposed to roll along the surfaceof the soil. Gauge wheel arm 54 (54-1, 54-2) is connected to frame 14through a connector 56 (56-1, 56-2). A depth adjustment assembly 90pivotally mounted to the frame 14 at a pivot 92 preferably contacts thegauge wheel arms 54-1, 54-2 to limit the upward travel of the gaugewheel arms 54-1, 54-2, thus limiting the depth of the trench opened bythe opening disc assembly 60. A closing assembly 40 can be included andis pivotally coupled to the frame 14 and configured to move soil backinto the trench 3.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, a knife assembly 20 is disposed on rowunit 10 (e.g., agricultural toolbar 10) according to one embodiment.Knife assembly 20 includes a knife bracket 21 that is attached to shankbracket 17. Knife assembly 20 can have one or two knives 23. Describedherein is knife assembly 20 with two knives 23, but it is understoodthat one of these knives 23 can be omitted. This can be done whenmaterial is only desired to be delivered to one side of trench 3.

Knife bracket 21 has knife bracket arms 22-1, 22-2 extending downwardlyfrom knife bracket 21 to knives 23-1 and 23-2 such that knife 23-1 isdisposed ahead of the gauge wheel 52-1, and knife 23-2 is disposed aheadof the gauge wheel 52-2. Knife bracket arms 22-1, 22-2 have a first end22-1-1 and 22-2-1, respectively, at their ends adjacent knife bracket21, and they have a second end 22-1-2 and 22-2-2, respectively, oppositeof the knife bracket 21. At second ends 22-1-2 and 22-2-2, knife bracketarms 22-1 and 22-2 can have a bracket 26-1 and 26-2, respectively, formounting knives 23-1 and 23-2, respectively, at their first ends 23 a-1and 23 a-2, respectively. Optionally, each knife bracket arm 21 can havea second arm 27-1 and 27-2 connecting first ends 22-1-1 and 22-2-1 tosecond ends 22-1-2 and 22-2-2, respectively. This optional second arm 27can provide additional structural rigidity to bracket arm 22. Second arm27 can be oriented transverse to bracket arm 22.

In another embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 18A to 18C according toone embodiment, brackets 26-1 and 26-2 can be replaced with brackets126-1 and 126-2, respectively. In FIGS. 18A to 18C, brackets 126-1 and126-2 will be illustrated by bracket 126. As shown in FIG. 18A, knife123 is pivotably mounted to bracket 126 through pivot 125. Knife 123 hastab 128 adjacent to pivot 125 for engaging force absorber 127. Forceabsorber 127 can be any structure that absorbs a force. Examplesinclude, but are not limited to, springs, rubber springs, shockabsorbers, and cylinders. Force absorber 127 is mounted to bracket 126and disposed to engage tab 128. In operation, knife 123 through tab 128engages force absorber 127. Knife 123 is free to pivot about pivot 125.When row unit 10 (e.g., agricultural toolbar 10) is lifted, knife 123 isfree to pivot toward the ground under gravity as illustrated in FIG.18B. Force absorbed has a selected resistance such that when knife 123encounters a rock or hard soil, the increased force exerted againstknife 123 by the rock or hard soil is transferred to force absorber 127to compress and absorb the increased force without causing row unit 10to lift as illustrated in FIG. 18C. In certain embodiments, an axisthrough pivot 125 that knife 123 pivots around is parallel orapproximately parallel (within 10 degrees, within 5 degrees, or within 2degrees) to the gauge wheel axle axis 57 (57-1, 57-2).

Knife 23 can be connected to knife bracket 21 to be any desired distanceaway from trench 3. In certain embodiments, the distance can be 1.25 cmto 10.2 cm (0.5 in. to 4 in.). In other embodiments, the distance can be2.5 cm to 10.2 cm (1 in. to 4 in.). In certain embodiments, the distanceis adjustable.

Each knife 23 (23-1, 23-2) has a material delivery conduit 24 (24-1,24-2). Material delivery conduit 24 (24-1, 24-2) can be connected to amaterial distribution tube 999 (999-1, 999-2) via coupler 998 (998-1,998-2). Material distribution tube 999 (999-1, 999-2) is in materialcommunication with a material source (not shown) such as by gravity feedor by a pump (not shown). In one embodiment, knife 23 can be convex in adirection of travel 8000 as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E with convex edge 29.

The material that can be delivered through the material delivery conduit24 can be a fluid or a flowable solid. Flowable solids include, but arenot limited to, granules and powders.

The knife 23 and/or knife bracket 21 can be configured such that theknife 23 is positioned to deposit material at any given depth below thesoil surface 7. In certain embodiments, the depth is 1.25 cm to 3.8 cm(0.5 in. to 1.5 in.)

In one embodiment, a relief system 30 can be disposed to allow knife 23to pivot with a break-away motion 629. In FIG. 6, relief system 30 isshown. Knife 23 is attached to bracket 26 with a fastener 32 and nut 33.A compression spring 31 is disposed around fastener 32. In FIG. 7, apivot pin 34 couples knife 23 to bracket 26, and pivot pin 23 can beadjusted vertically by nut 36 and held in place by snap ring 35. Pivotpin 34 can have a hole 34-1 for accepting a pin (not shown), such as acotter pin, to keep nut 36 from not rotating.

FIGS. 8A to 8E show an alternative embodiment of knife 23, materialdelivery conduit 24, and relief system 30. Examples of these knives canbe found in PCT/US2016/037701. Relief system 30 has relief element 37and downwardly extending element 38. Knife 23 is secured to downwardlyextending element 38, and material conduit 24 is positioned on arearward portion of downwardly extending element 38.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show an alternative in which knife 23, downwardlyextending element 38, and material conduit 24 are made as a unitarypart.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show an alternative in which material conduit 24 isdisposed through knife 23.

In some embodiments, a distance between knife 23 and gauge wheel 52 canbe up to 15 cm (6 inches). A minimum distance is any distance such thatgauge wheel 52 does not contact knife 23. In other embodiments, thedistance is up to 7.5 cm. These distances are during operation. When notin operation, such as when the row unit is lifted, the knife 23 cancontact gauge wheel 52.

A benefit of the knife 23 disposed ahead the gauge wheel 52 is that therow unit 10 (e.g., agricultural toolbar 10) does not become longer. Thisallows for better turning at the end of the rows. Also, the closeproximity to the gauge wheel 52 allows the gauge wheel 52 to pull awayany crop residue that becomes entangled with the knife 23. As the gaugewheel 52 engages the ground, any crop residue that is between the gaugewheel 52 and the ground is pulled by gauge wheel 52 away from knife 23.Also, accumulated mud can be pulled away.

The arrangement of the knife 23 adjacent to the gauge wheel 52 is easyto construct, compact in size, easy to install on various types of rowunits 10, low maintenance, economical, minimizes furrow disturbance,great for starter fertilizer and/or nitrogen placement, allows for dualbanding with separate liquids going to knives 23 on both gauge wheels52, provides consistent vertical placement, and provides consistentlateral placement.

The system described above is for placement ahead of the gauge wheel 52.The same system can also be placed ahead of a closing wheel 41. FIG. 11shows the knife 23 disposed ahead of closing wheel 41-1. Whileillustrated as being disposed ahead of closing wheel 41-1, the knife 23can be disposed ahead of closing wheel 41-2 or both closing wheels 41-1and 41-2. A bracket arm 28-1 is attached to closing system 40 at itsfirst end 28 a-1. In one embodiment, bracket arm 28-1 attaches toconnection point 42-1 where closing system 40 attaches to frame 14.Bracket arm 28-1 extends generally transversely away from closing system40. At second end 28 b-1 of bracket arm 28-1, bracket arm 28-1 can havea bracket 26-1. Knife 23 can connect to second end 28 b-1 or throughbracket 26-1 to bracket arm 28-1. As described above, knife 23 has amaterial delivery conduit 24. Material delivery conduit 24 can beconnected to a material distribution tube 999 via coupler 998. Materialdistribution tube 999 is in material communication with a materialsource (not shown) such as by gravity feed or by a pump (not shown). Inone embodiment, knife 23 can be convex in a direction of travel 8000 asshown in FIGS. 8A to 8E with convex edge 29.

In another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, gauge wheel 52 (52-1and 52-2) can have one or more protrusions 101 disposed about itscircumference and extending radially from a center of the gauge wheel52. The protrusion 101 can disposed on gauge wheel 52 such that as gaugewheel 52 rotates, the protrusion 101 passes in close proximity to knife23 (23-1 and 23-2). The protrusion 101 can either pass to the side ofknife 23 proximate to opening disc 62 (inner side 102), to the oppositeside of knife 23 (outer side 103), or to both. When disposed on bothinner side 102 and outer side 103, protrusions 101 on both sides can bealigned to pass knife 23 simultaneously or at separate times.Protrusions 101 are preferably disposed to outer side 103. A distancebetween knife 23 and protrusion 101 can be any selected distance. In oneembodiment, the distance is 1 mm to 5 cm. The height of protrusion 101measured radially away from the outer circumference of gauge wheel 52 isat least 1 cm. In one embodiment, protrusions 101 extend at least 50%across the knife 23. Protrusions 101 assist in removing any debris thatbuilds up around knife 23 by catching and dragging debris away fromknife 23.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, gauge wheel 52 (52-1 or52-2) has a channel 110 extending radially inward from the circumferenceof gauge wheel 52 towards the center of gauge wheel 52. Channel 110 isdisposed to at least partially to fully accept knife 23 within thechannel 110. The channel 110 can be disposed to approximately or nearlyfully accept the knife within the channel. By having knife 23 disposedwithin channel 110, debris build up around knife 23 is reduced oreliminated.

Both of the previous embodiments for protrusions 101 and channel 110 canbe combined together.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 17, knife 23 is disposed adjacentto an outside edge 120 of gauge wheel 52 (52-1 and 52-2) and proximateto the circumference of gauge wheel 52. This embodiment allows themotion of gauge wheel 52 to pull debris away from knife 23. The lateraldistance between knife 23 and gauge wheel 52 can be 1 mm up to 10 cmincluding any subset of ranges from 1 mm up to 10 cm.

Another embodiment of a row unit 10 (e.g., agricultural toolbar 10) isillustrated in FIGS. 19A to 21E. In this embodiment, row unit 10 furtherincludes an optional cleaning system 70. Cleaning system 70 is attachedto row unit 10 at shank bracket 17 via cleaning system bracket 71. Knifeassembly 20′ connects to cleaning system bracket 71. Knife assembly 20′includes knife bracket 21′, which connects to cleaning system bracket71. Knife 23 is pivotably connected to knife bracket 21′, and deliveryconduit 24 is disposed on knife 23. A force absorber 127′ is pivotablyconnected to knife 23 at pivot 129. As best viewed in FIG. 21E withknife bracket 21 removed, a stop 130 is disposed about force relief127′. Stop 130 is fixedly in connection with knife bracket 21′ for forcerelief 127′ to act against stop 130.

While the above embodiments illustrate the knife 23 with gauge wheels 52or closing wheels 41, the knife 23 can be used with any wheel on anagricultural toolbar. Examples of agricultural toolbars include, but arenot limited to, row units, air seeders, air drills, side dress bars,tillage toolbars, and fertilizer toolbars.

In an alternative embodiment, channel 110 can be created by two wheelsplaced next to each other and spaced apart to accept a knife 23 betweenthem. In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 22A, gauge wheel 52-1includes first wheel 52-1-A and second wheel 52-1-B with the spacebetween first wheel 52-1-A and second wheel 52-1-B forming the channel110′. In this embodiment, gauge wheels 52-1-A and 52-1-B can be disposedon a common axle connected to gauge wheel arm 53-1 (not shown).

In an alternative embodiment, one or both of gauge wheels 52-1-A and52-1-B can be replaced by a finger wheel 52′. A finger wheel isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,891, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. As illustrated in FIG. 22B, the finger wheel52′-1 is disposed on the outside opposite the opening disc 62-1. Fingerwheel 52′ allows for soil flow by fluid injector 80. In this embodiment,gauge wheel 52-1-A and finger wheel 52′-1 can be disposed on a commonaxle connected to gauge wheel arm 53-1 (not shown).

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 28, first wheel 52-1-A andsecond wheel 52-1-B (or finger wheel 52′) can be disposed on separategauge wheel arms 53′-A-1 and 53′-B-1. Also illustrated in FIG. 28, fluidinjector 80 is coulter 83 and fluid delivery tube 82. Coulter 83 isdisposed on a separate gauge wheel arm 53′-C-1. In this embodiment,first wheel 52-1-A and second wheel 52-1-B can be disposed on a commonaxle (e.g., axle 55-1-A, axle 55-2, 55-3) connected to gauge wheel arms.

In another embodiment, FIG. 23 illustrates how a scraper 99-a can bemounted to the agricultural toolbar (e.g., frame 14 of row unit 10 orany position on row unit 10) and positioned to be disposed in channel110 or 110′ to remove any debris that accumulates in channel 110 or110′. In other embodiments, scraper 99-b can be disposed on gauge wheelarm 54 or scraper 99-c on knife 23.

In another embodiment, knife 23 in any of the previous embodiments canbe replaced with a fluid injector 80, such as a coulter 83. FIG. 24illustrates a coulter 83 connected with bracket 81 to shank bracket 17.Coulter 83 is partially disposed between first wheel 52-1-A and secondwheel 52-1-B. Fluid delivery tube 82 is disposed relative to the coulterto deposit fluid in the trench opened by coulter 83.

Fluid injector 80, such as knife 23 or coulter 83, can be disposed aheadof wheel 52 or behind wheel 52 and partially disposed in channel 110 or110′. Also, fluid injector 80 can be disposed between first wheel 52-1-Aand wheel 52-1-B.

In another embodiment, fluid injector 80, such as knife 23 can beconnected to gauge wheel arm 54. FIG. 25 illustrates a rigid connectionof knife 23 to gauge wheel arm 54-1. In another embodiment, theembodiment of FIG. 25 can be modified to have a biasing member 86, suchas a spring, disposed between gauge wheel arm 53-1 and knife 23 to allowknife 23 to resiliently engage the ground as illustrated in FIG. 26.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 27, fluid injector 80, such asknife 23 is connected to depth adjustment body 94 through pivot 89. Asdepth adjustment body 94 is moved, the depth of knife 23 is adjusted.

Another embodiment of a row unit 10 (e.g., agricultural toolbar 10) isillustrated in FIGS. 29A to 29C. In this embodiment as illustrated in aside view of a row unit in FIG. 29A, the row unit 10 includes a frame14, a shank bracket 17, gauge wheel 52-1, and a knife assembly 20′having knife 23. A delivery conduit 24 is disposed on knife 23.

FIG. 29B illustrates a top view of the row unit 10 in accordance withone embodiment. The row unit 10 includes a frame 14, gauge wheels 52-1,52-2, and a channel 110 that separates two wheels placed next to eachother and spaced apart to accept a knife 23 between them. In oneembodiment illustrated in FIG. 22A, gauge wheel 52-1 includes firstwheel 52-1-A and second wheel 52-1-B with the space between first wheel52-1-A and second wheel 52-1-B forming the channel 110′. In thisembodiment, gauge wheels 52-1-A and 52-1-B can be disposed on a commonaxle connected to gauge wheel arm 53-1 (not shown).

FIG. 29C illustrates a bottom view of the row unit 10 in accordance withone embodiment. The row unit 10 includes a frame 14, gauge wheels 52-1,52-2, and a channel 110.

Another embodiment of a row unit 10 (e.g., agricultural toolbar 10) isillustrated in FIGS. 30A to 30C. In this embodiment as illustrated in aside view of a row unit in FIG. 30A, the row unit 10 includes a frame14, a shank bracket 17, gauge wheel 52-1 with at least one opening, anda knife assembly 20′ having knife 23. A delivery conduit 24 is disposedon knife 23. In one example, the gauge wheel 52-1 has a hub and multiplespokes that form multiple openings to allow soil or mud from a field toescape or be forced out.

FIG. 30B illustrates a top view of the row unit 10 in accordance withone embodiment. The row unit 10 includes a frame 14, gauge wheels 52-1,52-2, and a channel 110 that separates two wheels placed next to eachother and spaced apart to accept a knife 23 between them. In oneembodiment illustrated in FIG. 22A, gauge wheel 52-1 includes firstwheel 52-1-A and second wheel 52-1-B with the space between first wheel52-1-A and second wheel 52-1-B forming the channel 110′. In thisembodiment, gauge wheels 52-1-A and 52-1-B can be disposed on a commonaxle connected to gauge wheel arm 53-1 (not shown). The outer wheel 52-1with a hub and multiple spokes is designed to allow soil or mud from afield to escape or be forced out of the channel and the wheel 52-1.

FIG. 30C illustrates a bottom view of the row unit 10 in accordance withone embodiment. The row unit 10 includes a frame 14, gauge wheels 52-1,52-2, and a channel 110.

While the above embodiments illustrate the knife 23 with gauge wheels 52or closing wheels 41, the knife 23 can be used with any wheel on anagricultural toolbar. Examples of agricultural toolbars include, but arenot limited to, row units, air seeders, air drills, side dress bars,tillage toolbars, and fertilizer toolbars.

While illustrated with conduit 24 connected to knife 23, conduit 24 doesnot need to be connected to knife 23. Conduit 24 can be disposedadjacent to knife 23. In one embodiment, conduit 24 can be connected toframe 14 either directly or through another part connected to frame 14.An example of this embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 31.

FIGS. 32A to 32K illustrate another embodiment of a row unit. In thisembodiment, gauge wheel 52 (52-1, 52-2) is made in two parts. An innergauge wheel (52-1-i, 52-2-i) and an outer gauge wheel (52-1-o, 52-2-o)form gauge wheel 52-1 and 52-2, respectively to have a space foraccepting knife 923 (923-1, 923-2). Knife 923 is disposed on knifebracket 21 through pivot 125. An pivot axis 124 runs through pivot 125about which knife 923 (923-1, 923-2) pivots. Like the previousembodiment, pivot axis 124 is parallel or approximately parallel (within10 degrees, within 5 degrees, or within 2 degrees) to the axis 957(957-1, 957-2) about which gauge wheel axle 57 (57-1, 57-2) rotates.FIGS. 32D to 32F have the outer gauge wheel 52-1-o removed for viewingother parts. While illustrated with both gauge wheels 52-1 and 52-2having the knife 923, one of the knives 923 does not need to be present.

Knife 923 is illustrated in FIGS. 32G to 32K. In this embodiment, knife923 is made from two parts, upper knife portion 923-a and lower knifeportion 923-b. Lower knife portion 923-b can optionally have a matingprotrusion 991 for mating within upper knife portion 923-a. Fluidconduit 24 is disposed through lower knife portion 923-b. Materialdistribution tube 999 connects to fluid conduit 24. Optionally, materialdistribution tube 999 can be disposed in a channel 997 in the upperknife portion 923-a. Alternatively, knife 923 can be unitaryconstruction as one part with fluid conduit 24 disposed through knife923.

1. An agricultural toolbar comprising: a frame; a wheel mounted to theframe; and a knife disposed ahead of the wheel and comprising a materialdelivery conduit disposed on, through, or adjacent the knife, whereinthe knife is positioned at any desired distance laterally adjacent to atrench.
 2. The agricultural toolbar of claim 1, wherein the wheel is agauge wheel.
 3. The agricultural toolbar of claim 1, wherein the wheelis a closing wheel.
 4. The agricultural toolbar of claim 1 furthercomprising a relief system disposed on the knife to allow the knife toflex.
 5. The agricultural toolbar of claim 4, wherein the relief systemallows for movement of the knife away from the direction of travel ofthe toolbar.
 6. The agricultural toolbar of claim 4, wherein the reliefsystem allows for transverse movement of the knife to the direction oftravel of the toolbar.
 7. The agricultural toolbar of claim 1, whereinthe wheel has at least one protrusion disposed about the circumferenceof the wheel and extending radially.
 8. The agricultural toolbar ofclaim 1, wherein the wheel has a channel disposed from the outercircumference and radially inward toward the center of the wheel anddisposed to at least partially accept the knife within the channel. 9.The agricultural toolbar of claim 8, wherein the wheel comprises a pairof wheels spaced apart to form the channel to at least partially acceptthe knife within the channel.
 10. The agricultural toolbar of claim 9,wherein at least one of wheels is a finger wheel.
 11. The agriculturaltoolbar of claim 1 further comprising a coulter disposed ahead of theknife.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The agricultural toolbar of claim 1 furthercomprising: an additional wheel mounted to the frame; and an additionalknife disposed ahead of the additional wheel and comprising anadditional material delivery conduit disposed on, through, or adjacentthe additional knife.
 14. An agricultural toolbar comprising: a frame; awheel mounted to the frame and disposed to roll along a ground; and aknife disposed laterally adjacent to the wheel and comprising a materialdelivery conduit disposed on, through, or adjacent the knife such that alateral distance between the knife and the wheel permits the wheel topull debris away from the knife.
 15. The agricultural toolbar of claim14, wherein the lateral distance between the knife and the wheel isapproximately 1 to 100 millimeters (mm).
 16. An agricultural toolbarcomprising: a frame; a wheel mounted to the frame, wherein the wheel hasa channel disposed from the outer circumference and radially inwardtoward the center of the wheel and disposed to at least partially accepta fluid injector at least partially within the channel.
 17. Theagricultural toolbar of claim 16, wherein the fluid injector comprises aknife having a material delivery conduit disposed on the knife.
 18. Theagricultural toolbar of claim 16, wherein the channel is disposed toapproximately fully accept the knife within the channel to reduce debrisbuild up around the knife.
 19. The agricultural toolbar of claim 16,wherein the fluid injector is a coulter and fluid delivery tube.
 20. Theagricultural toolbar of claim 16, wherein the wheel comprises a pair ofwheels spaced apart to form the channel to at least partially accept thefluid injector within the channel.
 21. The agricultural toolbar of claim16, wherein the fluid injector is disposed ahead of the wheel.
 22. Theagricultural toolbar of claim 16, wherein the fluid injector is disposedbehind the wheel.
 23. The agricultural toolbar of claim 20, wherein thefluid injector is disposed between the pair of wheels.
 24. Theagricultural toolbar of claim 20, wherein at least one of the pair ofwheels is a finger wheel.
 25. The agricultural toolbar of claim 20,wherein the pair of wheels are disposed on a common axle connected to awheel arm.
 26. The agricultural toolbar of claim 25, wherein an outerwheel of the pair of wheels includes a hub and multiple spokes to allowsoil or mud from a field to escape or be forced out of the channel andthe outer wheel.
 27. The agricultural toolbar of claim 16, furthercomprising: a scraper to be mounted to the row unit and positioned witha distal end of the scraper to be disposed in the channel to remove anydebris that accumulates in channel.
 28. The agricultural toolbar ofclaim 16, wherein the wheel has at least one protrusion disposed aboutthe circumference of the wheel and extending radially.